Assembly: No cell calls on House floor but texts OK

If you feel an urgent need to contact your state delegate while the Georgia House of Representatives is in session this year, here's a tip:

Send a text message.

House Speaker Glenn Richardson told members on the Georgia General Assembly's opening day Monday that they are not to engage in cell phone conversations or have their phones ringing on the House floor while the House is in session.

Noting that someone's phone rang during the morning devotional, Richardson said such distractions may interfere in the body's deliberations. Phones should remain on vibrate rather than ring, he said.

House members may quietly send and receive text messages on the floor, he said.

Never miss a local story.

Sign up today for unlimited digital access to our website, apps, the digital newspaper and more.